I often travel by myself, so it's great to meet other people on such trips. I'm a photographer by nature, very friendly and personable. I love music and movies, day trips and road trips. I have taught photography for nearly 17 years in a prestigious adult education program in RI. I am single, with two sons, both grown, and two grandchildren. I am open-minded, easy-going, fun-loving, forward-thinking, and (I think) young-at-heart.

I am only here for a short time. Although I can't do everything I might want, I try to do as many as I can.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I am an independent traveler so I'm always looking to maximize my experience without breaking the bank, as are most of us on here; I do not ask for much besides a place to lay my head and have a little privacy when needed. I am also looking to make new friends, although I usually only stay in a room for one or two nights before moving on.

I travel very often to China, to see China and to meet new Chinese friends. I have made some life-long friends in China.

My upcoming trip is to Normandy and Brittany, France, in May/June 2019.

Interests

I am interested in new experience, history, culture, art and expression. I love music, being outdoors, walking city streets, finding cool hangouts, pubs, cafes, small restaurants.

Music, Movies, and Books

My favorite music varies from 60s rock and roll to modern indie, folk, and traditional forms of music. I like foreign films, independent films, and classics. A huge Game of Thrones fan, and I'm also an avid Criterion fan. Some of my favorite authors are Paul Theroux, Tolkien, Jon Krakauer, Peter Hessler. I love to talk about photography.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Why just one?
I have traveled to all 50 United States and have lived in Santa Fe, Savannah, Honolulu, London, and Beijing (now living in Rhode Island, USA). In 2015 I drove 14,500 miles from Rhode Island to Alaska (and above the Arctic Circle) and back with my son, a trip that took us 54 days.
I have eaten cuttlefish tajine in a family's makeshift hut on the beach at Tunis; have traveled to Western Nepal to study Himalayan Village Life; have walked with rhinos, elephants, giraffes, etc in Kenya as part of a research expedition; have danced with a belly-dancer in Amsterdam on Christmas Eve; have fed a chickadee from the palm of my hand, and other such insignificant wonders. Yesterday I saw a fox in my backyard.

Teach, Learn, Share

I teach photography for a living. My work is based upon personal experience (travel and friends providing much of that experience), rather than commercial application. Documentary, portraiture, and street photography are my major interests.
Influenced by Henri Cartier-Bresson, Robert Frank, Lee Friedlander, Sally Mann, Gilles Peress, Sebastio Salgado, Eugene Richards, Mary Ellen Mark.
I am very passionate about photography and I usually photograph friends that I travel with (perhaps if we share time exploring, and you are not camera shy ... ).

What I Can Share with Hosts

I can share my experiences, both travel-related and artistic. I like to laugh.

I love to make new friendships that last over time and distance. I seek some quiet time when I travel (for my work), but I also love to hangout with friends deep into the night. Many of my friends are much younger than I am - a testament to my open mind about friendship.

Note: Due to a chronic back condition, I am sometimes limited in mobility, but I usually try to make the most of my travels. Walking is my preferred mode, but this is sometimes difficult, so I drive as much as possible, and parking is always a concern when looking for a place to stay.

Countries I’ve Visited

Algeria, Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, England, France, Germany, Greece, India, Ireland, Italy, Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Nepal, Netherlands, Spain, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Vatican City State, Wales

Countries I’ve Lived In

China, England, United States